MEXICO CITY, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Fred Rutten stepped down as manager of Curacao's national team on Monday, a month before the start of the FIFA World Cup.

The country's football federation said the 63-year-old had expressed a desire to leave during "open and constructive talks", without providing details. Local media reported that the decision related to an internal dispute.

The announcement came less than three months after Rutten replaced Dick Advocaat, who resigned due to his daughter's ill health.

Curacao will begin its World Cup campaign against Germany in Houston on June 14 before also facing Ecuador and Cote d'Ivoire in Group E. ■